Update: Toronto black-focused school not only answer
Update: Even the Toronto Star is against the proposal of a black-focused school because it is the “wrong answer.” Moreover, while my previous post below mentioned the public meeting to be held on Tuesday, January 29th, I was not aware of tonights (January 22nd) behind-closed-door meeting.
On why a black’s-only school is the wrong answer, the Star editorial says:
“The example of the First Nations School of Toronto, the only racially based school in the city, has shown that creating a school for one racial group is not the solution. Julian Falconer’s report on school violence earlier this month found conditions at the school were ‘unacceptable.’
It has the lowest academic standing among the 451 elementary schools in the public board, and over the past three years it has suspended an average of one-third of its students. Falconer’s report calls that ‘an extraordinary level for an elementary school.’ The report concluded that the board is ‘failing one of our most marginalized and vulnerable communities.’
Instead of setting up another such school, the board should look at the other proposals before them tonight [in a behind-closed-door meeting by the Toronto public school trustees], including the creation of system-wide plans to improve student achievement for blacks and other marginalized groups with targets and timelines for achieving them. The strategy would address areas such as early-years programs, early-intervention strategies, student-leadership activities, tutoring and mentoring programs, as well as summer employment training. “
The citizens of Toronto need to be aware of the decisions that are being made with very little public input.
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Earlier Post: Although I don’t live in Toronto, the information needs to get out that the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) is holding a ONE-TIME-ONLY public meeting — on Tuesday, January 29th, 2008 at 6pm — to approve one or more ”blacks-only” high schools.
As such, I am re-posting this column because it is my hope that many who live in the amalgamated City of Toronto, no matter what their heritage, will go to that meeting and say NO to a return to segregation. To speak, participants must REGISTER by e-mail to the TDSB Board Services Committee to the attention of: david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca
On Friday, the TDSB home page had a link to this announcement which said a report on the topic of blacks-only schools would be made available on the public website prior to the January 29th meeting. A check of that site this morning indicated, not only that the report had not yet been posted, but that the announcement of the public meeting was no longer there. I found it buried in the “media” information page. Here is the link to the announcement.
I have written about this topic before (here) and am completely against the notion of a return to segregation on the basis of skin colour. Although I am a white person, I feel that it is wrong on so many levels. Have the powers that be at the TDSB and the school services committee (PSSC) forgotten how hard people of colour have had to struggle for full and complete school integration? Why then, go back to the future?
There is little doubt in my mind that the majority of Black students in Toronto come from loving and caring families. The students work hard and cause no trouble. Why, then, are there going to be alternative schools for the few who are failing or causing the disruptions and the violence? And, instead of blaming the first ”Safe Schools Act” (which the McGuinty government has amended effective February 1st, 2008) and the previous government – why is the TDSB not dealing with the issues within a Canadian context of multiculturalism?
For example, white students and students from other minority groups have to learn to adjust and behave appropriately because they and their families know they will have to fit into the regular society after graduation. So, the very idea of a segregated school is appalling when you realize that the very students who need encouragement and support will graduate from a “blacks-only” type of school labelled losers. And, as I have written about negative labels before in the context of disabilities, those kinds of stereotypes can stick with a person for life.
Moreover, not all black students consider themselves of any one specific African heritage. For example, will the curriculum be based on the culture of Liberia, Somalia, South Africa, Kenya, or Morocco or Egypt? In other words, since Africa is a continent of many countries, no one culture or ethnicity exists. Who will decide if a student is black enough? That kind of program, to my mind, is actually racist.
As the “speaking out” section of the Toronto Star indicates, we wouldn’t even be having this discussion if a “whites-only” school was being proposed — because it simply wouldn’t happen. So, is it a cultural thing? Specifically, do whites and minorities look at the causes of school failure differently? Can those differences in perception be bridged? Obviously, I believe they can otherwise I wouldn’t be suggesting this form of segregation be stopped.
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Note: C/P at With Good Reason.
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Raphael Alexander:
I can’t understand how this isn’t seen as the segregated, racist, and unequal institution it is. The idea that blacks need to be segregated from whites, and their “culture” taught to them in school is really going backwards, not forwards. It would be like me putting my children in a Scottish school because I have low self-esteem from 7 generations of estrangement from Europe.
January 18, 2008, 11:24 amLemon:
And Falconer wants more hugs for the thugs, and ignores the opinions of teachers and supers.
January 18, 2008, 11:48 amAnd indeed, almost all black kids do as well as all the other kids.
These schools emphasize differences when we need to emphasize our commonalities.
What ever happened to reform schools for the bad ones.
Sandy:
Lemon — Reform schools went out the window in 1982 when the Young Offenders Act was passed. They were part of the “old” Juvenile Delinquents Act.
Truth is, we have long passed the punishment and rehabilitation stage to the slap on the wrist touchy feely social worker stage. Unfortunate for the majority of good kids.
January 18, 2008, 12:04 pmJoanne (TB):
The natives-only school isn’t producing the desired results, according to the Falconer report. Why does the TDSB think black-only schools will work?
Isn’t it really just a dumbing-down? How is that helpful?
January 18, 2008, 12:13 pmFred:
Wow, self imposed segregation.
Who woulda thunk it
January 18, 2008, 12:19 pmJoanne (TB):
One more question - Aren’t we thereby segregating according to culture?
Therefore, will Muslims be allowed to demand their own school so that they too have an opportunity to better succeed, and to study their culture and ancestry?
January 18, 2008, 12:19 pmSandy:
Joanne — The TDSD is opening a huge can of worms. Rather than deal with those students who are actually causing the problems, they go off in all directions to find solutions. Apparently the h.s. where Jordan Manners attended has completely turned around because of a new principal. So, obviously change is possible.
In any event, what hard working Black student would want to go where all the thugs go? It just doesn’t make any sense.
I have little doubt that if they decide to proceed, which seems likely, we will be hearing about knives and guns in the new school. The violence problems are not going to go away, some of them will just move to the Blacks-only school.
Segregation? How backward!
January 18, 2008, 12:32 pmFiumara:
You really have to ask yourself who’s black history are you going to teach these students? Kenyan, Ivory Coast, maybe Liberian or perhaps Botswanaian. or maybe Brazilian - since the vast majority of the slaves brought to the western hemisphere were sent to the southern countries
If ever there was a stupid idea this is it. But then again it’s Toronto and in keeping with their warped sense of values and logic. Just look at the handgun issue there right now. Blame everyone else except yourself. Punish the innocent vs the guilty is their logic.
While the world is working toward integration Toronto looks to segregation as a solution. God I hate Toronto!
January 18, 2008, 12:40 pmSandy:
Fiumara — There are a lot of Torontonians that are against this idea as well. Unfortunately they seem to be in the minority or they are simply too busy in their every day lives and are not aware of the situation.
For example, the Jan. 29th meeting will be the ONLY meeting held for the general public. Yet, I didn’t read about the meeting in the media. I had to find it on the TDSB website.
As you say, which African culture are they going to teach? Each one is so different and so far removed from most peoples lives. It would be like me going to a Scottish school where they taught clan history. While I am proud of my ancestral history, I am a third generation Canadian. I would want to know about Canadian history and how I fit into that history. While the past is interesting, it is the past — in some cases, long past.
January 18, 2008, 1:43 pmWilly:
I am not a Toronto resident , so in many regards I have no sympathy for you folks who continually elect left-wing Mayors , MPs , MPPs and Premiers … then moan and whine because things are not getting better.
The black-only schools issue is similar to Mayor Miller whining today about banning handguns.
Non of these politically correct “lefties” has an original idea except to keep “hugging the thugs” and banning guns. The situation will need to become much worse until another Rudy Julianni. Mike Harris etc. is elected locally , provincially and federally.
… till then endure … residents of Toronto.
January 18, 2008, 1:51 pmAnn:
at what point is having an alternative school considered to be segregationist? Why is it ok for the TDSB to have a first nation’s schools, a gay, school, a school for the arts, a school for gifted…..and not be segregationist.
Also, at what point is denying a parent(no matter the race, religion or culture) a slap in the face for those promoting more school choice and the right of parents to make those choices.
When will the rest of the province’s boards be allowed to offer alternative schools paid for the taxpayer like the TDSB does?
January 18, 2008, 1:58 pmspelling police:
what’s the difference between letting the TDSB have special schools for special populations being paid for by taxpayers and the gov’t providing vouchers to let parents send their special student to the school they want? I see no difference.
January 18, 2008, 2:12 pmspelling police:
ps - what proof is there that black school will do any better than the mediocre schools out there now for the majority of students?
Will the black schools have specialty teachers, using proven programs and methodology??? Somehow I doubt it if all that’s going to happen is a circulation of status quo, with a different name
January 18, 2008, 2:16 pmSandy:
Willy — I’m not a Toronto resident either (although I was born there many moons ago) but the topic is worth debating because the idea could show up somewhere else in Canada — Heaven forbid — although I doubt it given the particular socialist municipal gov’t in Toronto at the moment.
January 18, 2008, 3:48 pmGlen from Saskatoon:
This all smacks of something I recall happening in Oakland, California about 10 years ago, when the school board tried to legitimize the use and teaching of Ebonics, the street slang used by many black kids, the theory being that these kids couldn’t learn in a grammatically-correct English environment.
January 18, 2008, 6:05 pmAs I recall, even the Rev. Jesse Jackson panned the idea as being too racist…
MaryT:
Will this keep guns out of white schools. Is that the reason behind this, keep white kids safe. Bet it doesn’t work.
January 20, 2008, 12:54 pmspelling police:
Not much will change I’m betting.
Why?
Because unless some of these kids get the basic skills necessary like reading, writing and math….they’re doomed to ride on the cycle of disengagement from society for a lifetime.
This isn’t a cultural or race problem….we have a realy problem with our schools becoming too much a hub of social activity rather than respected places of learning.
That’s what happens when education and standards get watered down throughout the whole education community…not just Toronto
January 20, 2008, 1:22 pmMr. E:
A few people here seem to be ticked off that the TDSB is possibly proposing a black-focused school when some of you supported John Tory’s faith-based school proposal. I don’t think your upset that there may be a black-focused school. I think you guys and gals are ticked because you would rather see a black-focused charter, independent, or private school instead.
I get the feeling that some of you don’t care about black students. You’re worried about your precious tax dollars and if those tax dollars can go to home schoolers or private schools instead.
Quite frankly, when some of you write about black students, all you can think about are guns and violence. Can’t you think about commenting about something good about the vast majority of black students who do well at school?
I’m surprised that no one has made any comments about the overpaid teachers who always go on strike. For me, it’s been almost five years since I started teaching. I haven’t once been on strike. Thankfully, my union negotiated a giant jacuzzi in every staff room in the school board. That’s one of the perks of teaching! Just kidding.
Finally, I do believe that if the TDSB approves at least one black-focused school, the expectations on student performance will be very high.
January 20, 2008, 1:28 pmSandy:
Mr. E — I have edited your comment as I try very hard to be civil here. No inflammatory words please.
Actually, if you read my whole post you would see that I do care about black students. In fact, as a retired educator, I care about all students.
Also, I would suggest that you go to the “teachers’ union” category and see just what I have written on that topic before you complain.
Why is it politically incorrect to speak the truth? While there are many thousands of hard working black students, including A students, why can we not say publicly that most of the violence in Toronto is by blacks — usually black on black although not always when people are caught in the cross-fire?
Instead of yelling at each other, we should be talking about real solutions.The very idea that a black teacher is the only person who can teach a black student or the only teacher who should teach an Aboriginal student is an Aboriginal teacher — is unfortunate. We all live together. We all need to get along. I taught for years in a Faculty of Education. Teacher graduates should be able to teach any child based on the qualifications on their College of Teachers certificate — not race, colour or ethnicity.
Of course, that is only my opinion. But, the fact that I am a retired white teacher should not matter in the least.
A blacks-only school is not like a faith-based school. Race and colour should not be compared to religion. Children and youth of all colours and cultures can go to a faith-based school. We already have that kind of system, do we not and it’s not threatening to anyone? It’s called the Catholic system.
And, no one is suggesting charter schools, although what would be wrong with that? Unionized teachers could still teach in a setting like that.
This topic needs to be debated, not just by blacks, but by everyone. We have come a long way in terms of civil rights, maybe not far enough yet, but returning to segregation will not be the solution in the long run.
January 20, 2008, 2:00 pmspelling police:
Mr E. - why is it ok for the TDSB to offer alternatives for special populations paid for by taxpayers and others have to pay for the priviledge of a private education for their children?
I think you need to read the posts more carefully before you accuse folks of saying things that aren’t there.
This is an education issue not a social one…although given the Falconer report I can see how folks may get confused.
January 20, 2008, 5:48 pmspelling police:
yes, expectations will definately be high….all eyes on that school, just like Falconer’s report on just how the First Nations school is doing so well…just kidding too.
Haven’t been on strike for 5 yrs? Stay tuned, the noise from the unions is beginning to ramp up.
January 20, 2008, 5:51 pmCOTM:
Mary T — Changes have been gradually happening here at COTM. So, in response to your earlier comment, I just want to let you know that, although I am not making a big deal out of it, I will only be writing on educational issues here from now on — including how politics is involved in the process, be it federal, provincial or municipal (boards of education). You’ll notice, for example, that my blogrolls have changed to reflect this new focus and I will put less emphasis on “Sandy” as opposed to the more neutral “COTM.” I started out doing commentary on both education and Canadian politics and things have simply evolved over the past year!
Any other political discussions, partisan or otherwise, I will do at JN. I just want to focus here on what I enjoy most — teaching and learning — primarily in a non-partisan and/or bi-partisan manner. (Sandy)
January 20, 2008, 6:14 pmReal Conservative:
I’m sorry but this is already happening to a lesser extent in the system. Specialized classes now exist in certain ‘problem districts’ with only one racial group with special teaching which focuses on keeping the problem kids occupied. I know of these classes and they are not new. The next logical step in areas of high concentration is whole schools devoted to this endeavour. The real problem is that these kids will never have a real education and no chance of ‘getting out’ of the gutter they are in.
January 20, 2008, 7:17 pmspelling police:
How about we enable the parents in those problem districts by giving them the resources to get their kids out of a system that’s not working for them and into one of their choice that will not only get them out but teach them the skills they’re not getting?
Check out Joanne’s link to Children First Trust.
January 20, 2008, 8:18 pmCOTM:
SP — Just so you know, visitors can also check out my new page on my header bar called “Parent Resources.” The Children’s First Trust is there also. For those who don’t know what they do — they provide funding for needy families who want to access to a private school — to aid in parent choice. (Sandy)
January 20, 2008, 8:27 pmJosh Matlow:
Action Alert on the Africentric School Proposal
Please contact all TDSB school trustees and express your support for our city’s black students and your opposition to dividing Toronto’s public schools by race.
A special Program and School Services Committee (PSSC) has been set for January 29, 2008 at 6 p.m. to discuss the Africentric school issue. The public board meeting (when this item will be debated and decided on) will be held at 7pm on January 30th. Both meetings will be held at 5050 Yonge Street.
All persons wishing to speak to the issue must register as delegations prior to the special committee meeting by contacting Board Services at: david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca.
You can send an email to all Toronto District School Board Trustees c/o David Tomczak (clerk):
david.tomczak@tdsb.on.ca
Please send me a copy of your email(s) for my records (josh@joshmatlow.ca
January 20, 2008, 10:02 pmspelling police:
For those who aren’t familiar with the Toronto District School Board, Josh Matlow is a trustee with the board.
Perhaps you could let those participating here know what the feeling is in your constituency on the issue? How will you be voting?
January 20, 2008, 10:16 pmJosh Matlow:
Hi,
I’ve discussed this issue at great length with residents in my constituency. The overwhelming majority, from a diverse array of backgrounds, have told me that they do not support dividing our schools by skin colour. I strongly agree with them and will be voting against the Africentric school proposal.
I do intend to support recommendations to offer expanded programs and courses, that could be available to all schools and all students, which teach kids about African history from a non-colonial perspective, the great contributions of black and African cultures and individuals and role-models such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela. It is important that all students learn about these subjects, not only black students.
Ultimately, I believe that kids should learn about their own backgrounds but also learn about their friends and neighbours. And they should go to school with other students who may not necessarily look like them. This is what makes Canada so great.
I’ve written about this issue on my website at ww.joshmatlow.ca. Please contact me if you have any questions.
In addition, please contact your local trustee and have your voice heard!
Sincerely,
Josh
January 20, 2008, 10:35 pmtori:
can i be un-pc here? I expect flames, but what the heck.
schools are already segregated. they are segregated by SES, by boundary areas.
Look in any neighborhood. The GTA can be divided up in terms of race/religion/creed. What do you think when you think of:
Woodbridge?
Danforth?
Malvern?
Jane-Finch?
Rosedale?
Forest Hill?
Scarborough?
North York?
St Clair W?
I know for myself, my kids are in a school that is predominantly Asian. Look to the community and it is primarily Asian. Schools are a mirror image of the community they reside. Neighborhoods that have a high SES, have well educated white collar parents, and have nice homes usually have a good school, void of too much violence.
In fact, I think even further segregating these students will actually have the opposite effect, since the kids who are not violent will not want any part of this type of school, therefore making the population consist of only problem children.
I thought we were over reform schools?
Just separating them is not going to do it. Giving them a black teacher is not going to do it. These are excuses used to take the focus off the real issue which I think has to do with a combo of family responsibility, real consequences for poor actions right from the start, and a real effort to help those families and kids who are at risk- and I don’t mean with the help of a basketball court.
Ok, flame away
January 21, 2008, 8:01 amSandy:
Thanks Josh. Feel free to leave a comment here on the topic. I am pleased that my blog can be a public service. You can also link to my blog from your blog.
January 21, 2008, 10:03 amAnn:
This is my problem:
On the one hand I agree with tori for the reasons offered. If it ’s truly an educational issue and not a cultural one then where is the focus of eliminating “balanced” reading instruction and the useless fuzzy math programs?
However, as a choice option for parents I like that this adds more choice to the mix of the other alternative schools within the TDSB that are being paid by taxpayers.
Why can’t other communities in this province have alternatives based on race, gender, sexual orientation and have the gov’t pay for it.
That’s what’s not fair to me because in smaller boards across this province there is little help from the province for saving small schools, yet the TDSB may be getting taxdollars to develop smaller schools. What’s equal about that?
January 21, 2008, 10:23 amSandy:
Tori, You are right of course. But, it is a topic no one wants to talk about. But, what I would suggest is that there are a lot of Blacks that have a high SES as well and, usually, they fit in within communities with no difficulty.
I have asked Joanne for a link to an article I saw last week, which I will put here as soon as I get it, that has one of the best explanations I have read to date for what is going on. It too will not be pc.
The gist of the article is that whites and Asians look internally when they fail or something at school goes wrong. They ask themselves what THEY can do to alter the situation. Parents hire a tutor or the child takes a summer course, etc. The parents insist on more time for homework, and so on.
However, many Blacks and other minorities like Aboriginals tend, and of course, this does not mean everyone, to look externally and ask what the SYSTEM can do to improve the situation. In other words, they blame violence, dropping out or other problems at school on the lack of available non-ethnic teachers or a non Africentric curriculum.
And, the media is not helping. A recent headline in the Toronto star screamed “Education system failing Blacks.” Can you imagine a similar headline saying: “Education system failing Whites.” No, it would say “Whites failing in Education System.”
Both positions are correct, of course. Problems are a combination of internal family issues combined with external system issues. It’s not an either/or.
But, IMO, as long as we are talking at cross purposes, nothing will be achieved that is long term and helpful. We need to get past the pc elephant in the room (such as the role of individual and family responsibility) and take a middle road.
January 21, 2008, 10:25 amtori:
sandy,
are you talking about the snobellen article? It was good.
it certainly addressed the differences between going to public school in the 70s and 80s (when I did) and now.
Of course there were fights. I recall “rumbles” with surrounding catholic/public schools, and fighting between individual kids, but I’d be very hard pressed to give you an instance of a gun or knife in the mix. Mind you, back then school focussed on essentials like math, language, science and if you did not meet expectations you were held back. Teachers did not take disobedience laying down, and even the “troubled” kids learned to respect authority.
But this can be seen in many areas. Who respects cops now? teachers? heck, there’s no longer even a respect for private property. and definately not of human life. Somewhere down the line this has been replaced with an attitude of I can do what I like, and any shortcomings on my part are due to some extraneous factor and not of my own doing.
You write: “The gist of the article is that whites and Asians look internally when they fail or something at school goes wrong. They ask themselves what THEY can do to alter the situation. Parents hire a tutor or the child takes a summer course, etc. The parents insist on more time for homework, and so on.”
I tend to find that the common factor is ironically, education. Parents who are fairly educated are the ones involved in their children’s aptitute and studies. And that is something that happens outside of race and ethnicity. I say ironically because it’s usually the LACK of education that leads to someone coming from an at risk environment. I’m not saying it can’t be done, it just makes it harder-but not impossible- to do.
January 21, 2008, 11:11 amSandy:
Tori — No, it’s a different article altogether, from an online source.
I saw Snobelen’s column in the Sun. He is right on as well with the issue of discipline.
I know Mr. Snobelen since my former MPP boss was his Parliamentary Assistant. He was one of the best Education Minister’s around, in spite of his being a Grade 11 drop out. A brilliant self-made man who took a lot of abuse from so-called education professionals. But that is another story. LOL
I’ll get the other source today sometime I’m sure. I’ve e-mailed Joanne for the source — since she gave it to me in the first place.
January 21, 2008, 11:41 amAnn:
tori wrote “…..back then school focussed on essentials like math, language, science and if you didn’t meet expectations you were held back. Teachers did not take disobedience laying down and even the troubled kids learned to respect authority.”
We’ve moved from schools being places of educational authority to being social engineering factories where teachers are expected to be all things to all people, and if something goes wrong with society or the school the fingers point outward…..just look at the Falconer report and what it tries to say.
If schools were places where communities(parents, students, employers,) could count on literate grads. able to do basic math, and read a map, they would command respect.
I used to believe that education of parents was key to student success, but not any more. Take a look at the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on Ontario’s secondary and elementary schools.
In their analysis they take into account the education of the parents. You’d be surprised that there are schools in low-socio-economic areas that are doing very well, and vise-versa.
The problem is that we have few boards, administrators willing to go find out what the good schools are doing right re: programs and methods and insist that those struggling schools move to those.
Instead we have been content with increasing the bureaucracy, have added a literacy and numeracy secretariat and the scores and abilities have flat-lined.
The cynical among us might begin to think that while individual teachers, parents and students should expect more focus on how and what is being taught and the effectiveness……the problems keep folks working and boards in business. Not a nice angle for sure….but one that’s out there in the minds of some.
January 21, 2008, 11:58 amtori:
don’t even get me started on that falconer report. he lost me when he got surveys from 2 schools and then tried to used the results and generalize to the GTA. Big methodological no no.
Not to speak of the really low response rate, even from teachers.
“I used to believe that education of parents was key to student success, but not any more. Take a look at the Fraser Institute’s Report Card on Ontario’s secondary and elementary schools.
In their analysis they take into account the education of the parents. You’d be surprised that there are schools in low-socio-economic areas that are doing very well, and vise-versa.”
I do see your point, as I am a living breathing example
First to graduate from university and my parents did not finish hs. But they instilled in me the importance of hard work, respect, and determination. Now, had they lacked education AND these core beliefs, I would guess that I may not be where I am now. If my parents held a “woe is me” attitude and blamed all their problems on extraneous causes, then maybe things would be quite different for me.
“The cynical among us might begin to think that while individual teachers, parents and students should expect more focus on how and what is being taught and the effectiveness……the problems keep folks working and boards in business. Not a nice angle for sure….but one that’s out there in the minds of some.”
Certainly, the hug a thug and root causes mentality of the falconer report keeps social workers et al in business…
January 21, 2008, 12:26 pmAnn:
very well said tori and a great personal example.
Conventional thinking suggests that parents from low socio-econimic backgrounds, or parents of problem or labelled children don’t want the best education possible. I just don’t think that’s true at all.
Whether it’s moving a child within a board from a bad school to a good school in another neighbourhood, or having the resources to move out of the system all together, I think that parents need a gov’t and board that supports those two decisions.
I wonder how hard a process it is to transfer students in some boards? Are we wrapping people up in useless paperwork to the point where action is muted? I think so.
What would happen if the number of special needs children decreased? Why are fewer kids needing more adults not less?
I just wonder what the goal is of the education system? Seems that until all players are in agreement on that one point we’ll be running on that old hamster wheel forever.
January 21, 2008, 12:42 pmSandy:
Ann & Tori — While I have never discussed my own personal history, it is relevant here. While both my parents finished hs, neither ever anticipated post-secondary and both did well with their lives, after WWII my dad in public relations and my mom in the federal civil service.
When my mom was hit with the glass ceiling for women, I was a teenager. I watched her as she just went full steam ahead and applied for every management job there was — eventually getting one!!!! She was one of the first women in the federal cs to do so and I was very proud of her. So, in spite of some early childhood trauma’s I had experienced, I picked up on those values!
Now, regarding those traumas — after WWII when my dad came home, my parents split up. In the late forties that hardly ever happened. My infant brother and I were sent to a foster home where we spent some time. In those days, that happened until the courts decided who got custody.
Anyway, my experience there was traumatic in several ways. They were involved in child labour and at seven I was put out in a wheat field in the middle of a heat wave in August to bring in the harvest. I can still remember being at the rear of a special tractor, throwing the wheat onto the back of a flat bed. I honestly don’t remember having anything to drink. — although I might have had something. So, when it is hot like that, it all comes back. They believed in physical punishment as well if you didn’t work fast enough.
Anyway, during the three year period from age 7 to 10, I actually went to fifteen elementary schools. Later I would settle down with my mother and her second husband and attend a single high school.
Anyway, when I was in teachers college the prof mentioned that any child who went to more than six schools was mentally unstable. I put up my hand and explained my case. He didn’t know what to say because he knew me and knew I had my head together.
Anyway, I went on to finish my B.A. (with my mother’s encouragement I might add) once I was an adult. Then, when I re-married, with my second husband’s encouragement and financial support, I was able to finish my masters and doctorate — while teaching part-time.
By all accounts, I should be a basket case but I’m not. I picked up my parents values, even though they split up, and those values held me together — as well as my being a Christian (e.g, I went to a Catholic high school and the nuns were wonderful). And, because I was moved around so much, I did not do particularly well in school. I certainly wasn’t an A student early on — but as an adult when I went to school on my own terms, I did very well.
In fact, my early experiences helped me when I was teaching and in private practice — I could truly emphathize with students and clients.
So, early experiences do not have to PRE-DETERMINE what you can be! And, they SHOULD NOT be used as excuses!
I suppose it is one of the reasons I so firmly believe in the importance of people standing on their own two feet, to stop being a victim and to make the most out of our circumstances, no matter what the odds. It may not be easy but it can be done. There are just too many examples of people who have done it — people who don’t choose a life of crime or violence.
All is well that ends well.
January 21, 2008, 1:16 pmAnn:
Exactly! My family moved around alot too Sandy. Mostly because of my fathers mental illness and my family’s instability. He couldn’t hold a job, and was institutionalized many times before he committed suicide. School was my sanctuary. It was routine and something I could count on where I had friends. My parents trusted that because of their authority and programs I’d come out with what I needed to move to make my world a better place. I believe I did. However, one of the things we were taught in school then was to question everything. Dig deep and don’t give up until you get the answers you seek.
My family moved three times in Grade 13, to three different Ontario school boards. Talk about screwed up. I could have been the poster child for Mike Harris’s need for one common provincial curriculum.
In grade three, my mother was told that because I was left handed(the only one in my class) that I would always struggle with school and would likely have learning disabilities. I was so confused at that age because the teacher would come and remove my fountain pen from my left hand and switch it to the right. I had no idea how to form letters with my other hand. I missed alot that year but managed somehow.
The point is that I don’t recall ever depending on the system to raise me or steer my future. I made it through post-secondary and managed to live in the same home for 22 years - a first in my family still.
What’s changed?
January 21, 2008, 3:35 pmSandy:
Ann — What’s changed?
John Snobelen had an excellent column in yesterday’s comment section of the Toronto Sun. I tried to find it for you online but couldn’t.
It was about the lack of discipline in today’s schools. In other words, we used to have routines and rules. If a child broke them, there were consequences at school and at home.
Now, however, parents blame the teachers and the school principal and vice-principal don’t provide teacher support. Similarly board administration don’t support principals.
So, IMO, students learn early on that they don’t have to listen to those in authority — that their parents will make excuses for them.
And, teachers quickly give up when they are not supported.
So, in the end, we are finding out that it is society that suffers as well as those who end up in the corrections system — which usually means a life of crime. All because the individuals involved didn’t learn about boundaries and what was socially acceptable early on. It then becomes the “system’s” problem because parents and school officials have passed the buck.
The Minister’s of Education across this country have to have zero tolerance violence and bad behaviour policies in place that are realistic, that say no means no and that there are consequences to bad behaviour. Every school needs a policy in place regarding unacceptable behaviour — that everyone has to understand, including parents
I live in hope!
January 21, 2008, 4:08 pmAnn:
I’d like to ask trustee Josh a question. Hope he comes back.
Does he feel that as a trustee he’s losing something in his role at being able to meet the needs of his constituents?
The Falconer report talked about trustees over-stepping their bounds as advocate(something like that, not the exact wording), but I’ve heard from other trustees in other boards that they feel more and more a tool of the gov’t rather than a the front line link between school and the community.
If a trustee can’t advocate for his/her constituents is the rubber stamp theory becoming more of a reality?
January 21, 2008, 4:25 pmSandy:
Attention Josh — There is a question here for you from Ann who is very involved in educational matters in your fair city. Hopefully, you clicked on “follow-up comments.”
January 21, 2008, 8:41 pmSandy:
Tori and Ann — I found that link I was talking about — regarding the different ways cultures deal with conflict and expectations. However, on second viewing I realize the author is somewhat extreme, but it is another way at looking at the problems within Toronto schools. Read it with that view in mind.
January 21, 2008, 11:14 pmspelling police:
I read the linked article and think it’s very relevent. Tell me Sandy you write often about the labels put on autistic children. Doesn’t this idea of black school also put students in an unnecessary label?
Notice not one mention of using better programs and getting back to the basics?
January 22, 2008, 4:45 pmSandy:
SP — I hadn’t thought of it that way but of course adjectives are the same as special education labels.
In a job interview: “Oh, so you’re a graduate of the blacks-only school?” Mmmm. Which means to the interviewer? The label “loser” comes to mind.
The pygmalion principle is true here as well — self-fulfilling prophecy.
January 22, 2008, 5:20 pmBrian:
Seems to me that a few years back , black-only schools in South Africa were called Apartheid.
Perhaps the Falconer report should have titled “Back to the Future”
January 22, 2008, 5:23 pmFiumara:
When I went to school (back in the sixties) we were taught life skills - how to get along with everyone and how to be self sufficient. We were taught the good things of life like art and music.
Today kids are not educated. They are taught that if they fail it’s some else’s fault. They are taught that being a male is bad and feminism is great. The stupidest kids in the class now run the school boards and education system. We see the results of higher dropout rates for males and no music, art or humanities taught. However, see a lot of politics being taught though (directly an indirectly) and kids used as pawns by unions, government and special interest groups.
The school for black kids is a prime example of all the above. Why do Asians do so well economically as do Arab and European heritage students. Why sign out one group as failures and blame it on race. As I said earlier it is not all Blacks who fail. They seem to come from a specific culture and African based it is not.
So address the problem and not the symptoms and stop trying to blame race as the cause.
This country cries out for leadership with intelligence and it certainly is not from he left side of the political spectrum. We see their failures every day.
January 23, 2008, 3:54 amRuss:
This school is the wrong idea. The children going to these schools will one day have to go out into the real world to study and work and function around all races. To place them in a school for black only sends a dangerous message, to them and society. The message you are sending to them and the outside world that these kids are to dumb to make it in the normal school system.
Just a note, if the clips on the CBC are what this school is going to look like, as in African based, then maybe it’s not the school system that is the problem but the parents. Teachers dressed as if they just got off the boat, kids playing drums like they have some tribal background. Come on folks, you live in Canada, stop feeding your kids such dribble. If they can’t make it in the normal school system that everyone else made it in, then maybe the problem is not the school system but the children and the home life and what is being fed to the children minds.
I’m sorry but a Canadian Child is a Canadian Child regardless of their colour and race. Stop teaching them they are different and start expecting more of them.Maybe they will start succeeding!
My two kids are grown now, but as a black parent, I would run as fast as I could from such a school. My kids were born knowing they could do anything and everything, the colour of their skin meant nothing.
Stop using your colour as a crutch! your kids will grow up to be losers. Try teaching them they are no different from anyone else on this planet, black, white, purple.
It’s a shame this has happened. I suspect it will fail quickly.
January 30, 2008, 7:52 amSandy:
Russ, I am with you there. Read my post for today which is built on what Cynapse at Cynics Unlimited posted — who is also a black. Such a pity. So regressive!
January 30, 2008, 10:12 am